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All the praises for Allah SWT and salutation to Prophet Muhammad (SM).

The word ‘Muharram’ means ‘forbidden’, any warfare and wrongdoing was forbidden in the four months, Zil-Qada, Zil-Hijja, Muharram and Rajab, In a society in any given time, from the age of ignorance up until today, we human beings are constantly engaged in war, clash or fighting of any form. Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala by prescribing some months of natural cease fire, assign some days for human beings to live in peace and get relief from unnecessary war.

Importance of Muharram

Allah Rabbul Izzat, sent down such guidance in sura Tawba (verse 36)

إِنَّ عِدَّةَ ٱلشُّهُورِ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱثۡنَا عَشَرَ شَهۡرٗا فِي كِتَٰبِ ٱللَّهِ يَوۡمَ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَٰوَٰتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضَ مِنۡهَآ أَرۡبَعَةٌ حُرُمٞۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلۡقَيِّمُۚ فَلَا تَظۡلِمُواْ فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمۡۚ وَقَٰتِلُواْ ٱلۡمُشۡرِكِينَ كَآفَّةٗ كَمَا يُقَٰتِلُونَكُمۡ كَآفَّةٗۚ وَٱعۡلَمُوٓاْ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلۡمُتَّقِينَ

Surely, the counting of months to Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala is twelve in His book from the day He created space and earth, four of which are sacred/prohibited, this is a firm religious commandment, so do not do wrongdoing during this period. And fight idolaters unitedly as they fight unitedly against you. Be informed that Allah is with Allah-fearing people.

Additionally, Allah also swore by the dawn in sura Al Fajr

وَالْفَجْرِ ﴿۱﴾

Allah said ‘By dawn’, Sahaba Ali bin Abi Talib and Abdulah Ibn Abbas (ra) referred to this dawn as the first day of Muharram.

Moreover, the Prophet (SM) described this month as ‘Month of Allah’, to identify this one the best among four haram months mentioned earlier. He connected this month with Allah’s name due to its virtues and dignity, as Allah connected His special creation with His name such as ‘Rasulullah’, ‘Baitullah’ and ‘Naqatullah’.

Besides, there is a great occasion in this month, as Allah rescued Musa (AS) with his nation and drowned Fir‘awn and his followers in this month, granting a clear victory of righteousness over misguidance.

Finally, as Allah’s month, the prohibition of this month cannot be postponed, as disbelievers used to make lawful in one year and unlawful in another year that Allah made unlawful, count of this month cannot be deferred or advanced, which Allah clearly restricted in Quran.

Good deeds

Fasting in this month is described as best among voluntary fasting. Sahaba Abu Huraira (RA) quoted as the prophet (SM) saying:

” أفضل الصيام بعد رمضان شهر الله المحرم ، وأفضل الصلاة بعد الفريضة صلاة الليل “

“The best fasting after Ramadan is the month of Allah in Muharram and the best salah after mandatory one is the salah (after mid) night”. The scholars explained that besides the 6 fasting in Shawwal which is associated with Ramadan, the voluntary fasting in Muharram is the best during the rest of the year.

Fasting in Ashura is sunnah. Ibn Abbas (RA) narrated, after Prophet (SM) migrated to Madinah Munawwarah, he found Jews were fasting on the 10th Muharram, he asked the occasion for their fasting, they replied this is such a great day when Allah rescued Musa (AS) with his nation and drowned Fir‘awn with his nation, Musa (AS) fasted in gratitude, so we are fasting. The Prophet (SM) said we are more rightful and close to Musa (AS) then them. The Prophet (SM) did fast on that day and commanded us to fast.

Prophet (SM) also asked us to fast on 9th Muharram, as he said

"لئن عشت إلى قابل لأصومن التاسع"

“If I live next year I will fast on the 9th”, however, if someone can’t do it on the 9th and 10th, they can fast on the 10th and 11th Muharram, as scholars said it is makrooh (disliked) to fast only on 10th Muharram.

About the virtue of fasting on this day Sahaba Qatada (RA) asked Rasulullah (SM) about fasting in Ashura, he replied:

"صِيَامُ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ أَحْتَسِبُ عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ يُكَفِّرَ السَّنَةَ الَّتِي قَبْلَهُ وَالسَّنَةَ الَّتِي بَعْدَهُ وَصِيَامُ يَوْمِ عَاشُورَاءَ أَحْتَسِبُ عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ يُكَفِّرَ السَّنَةَ الَّتِي قَبْلَهُ

“About fasting on the day of Arafa I hope Allah will cover up the sins of the previous year and following year, and about fasting on Ashura, I hope Allah that He will cover up the sins of the previous year.

Imam Jassas elaborated nicely in ‘Ahkamul Quran’ describing that whoever practice additional voluntary ibadah during this four months, they obtain the ability and courage of doing more in rest of the year, similarly they can stay away from sinful behaviour, therefore, abstaining from availing such opportunity is a great loss.

Cosmology

One cosmic creation was clearly stated in Tawba:36, that Allah has started the count of the year (12 months) from the beginning of the creation of space and earth. This indicates a greater cosmic creation, blatantly denying the claim of the theory of evolution that is it takes billions of years after the big bang, all planets got in shape and organized after the big chaos and count of the day and night started after the solar planet came into shape over the time. The Quran indicated here Allah started counting years right away after creation, and this is the sign of His supreme authority.

May Allah keep us on the straight-established path and enable us to do the fasting and all good deeds in the Muharram and in the coming months as well. Ameen.

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